Thursday, April 8, 2010

Tips in Buying the Best Coffee Grinder

Rancilio Rocky Coffee Grinder

People love drinking coffee and they get only the best coffee grinders. These grinders preserve the rich aroma and delightful flavor of the coffee beans during the grinding process. You have to have a basic knowledge about coffee grinders to be able to choose wisely when you go out to buy your own. These serve as a helpful guide in buying the best coffee grinder.

Type of Coffee Grinder
When buying a coffee grinder the foremost thing to consider is the type of the coffee grinder. Coffee grinder is of two types namely blade and burr grinders. They differ in the type of blade used in grinding coffee beans.

Blade Type
The blade grinders are the least expensive grinders. It employs a metal blade to cut up the beans. It needs close attention and control on how long it will run. The grounds produced might not be uniformly refined or not very consistent. Such inconsistency may result to poor brew quality.

The heat produced from the constant friction of the blades in operation has a significant effect also. If it overheats it can affect the quality of coffee. The coffee experts can distinctly taste the difference. Hence, the blade type is not really the best for espresso or coffee drinks. It is ideal for drip coffee and for basic home use only.

Burr Type
The Burr type does not chop up the beans but crush them between a grinding wheel and surface. It has grinding process that results to a less heat, which results in more flavor and aroma. The burr grinder has a variable setting for repositioning and regulating the ground size (fine or coarse). These grinders are more effective in providing very consistent grinds as compared to blade grinders.

Burr Grinder Types
There are two basic types of burr grinder, namely wheel and conical burr.

Wheel Burr
The wheel burr is less expensive. However, the wheel design has disadvantages. It spins very fast which in turn produce annoying noises. It also tends to be messy as one increases the speed of rotation.

Conical Burr
The conical burr is considered the best type but is more expensive. The burr rotates in a lower speed than the wheel design. Such slower rotation produces minimal noise and less mess. This burr type also will not clog up when use for oily or flavored coffee beans.

Settings of the Grinder
It is also necessary to consider the setting of the grinder when buying a coffee grinder. Choose one with many different grind settings for versatility. Such settings can be adjusted to different positions allowing you to produce grounds that range from fine to medium to coarse. It works very well in drip coffee maker, French press and espresso machine.

Maintenance or Ease of Cleaning
Also consider how easy and simple it is to clean the coffee machine. The best to choose is a grinder that has a removable grinding chamber. This design enables you to clean it easily using mild cleanser in a dishwasher. You should look also for a grinder that includes a cleaning brush. It is proper as well to select a grinder that does not produce a lot of mess during grinding process.

Container and Safety of the Grinder
The container of the grinder is also another thing to consider when buying a coffee grinder. It is best to buy a grinder that uses a generously wide collar. It will permit you to transfer through pouring the coffee beans into the machine without having spills. Be careful with spills as you take out the container. It is also advised to look for a blade grinder with a lid safely in place.

For more information on Electric Coffee Grinders and Hand Coffee Grinders, please visit our website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wasim_Ahmad

Rancilio Rocky Coffee Grinder

Sunday, April 4, 2010

What is the Best Coffee Grinder For You?

Rancilio Rocky Coffee Grinder


Choosing the best coffee grinder for your needs is not an easy task. First of all you must be very clear about what you will be using the grinder for. This knowledge will determine which models are suitable and which ones should be ruled out.

For example, if you are only going to grind coffee for French press, you do not need the grinder to grind the coffee very fine. However, you have to get a model that does not produce too much fine dust - something that is sure to ruin your coffee. On the other hand, if you are after an espresso grinder then the best coffee grinder for you will be a model that can grind coffee very fine and very consistently. It is also crucial that the grinder allows you to change the size of the grind in very small increments.

There are many different grinders on the market today. For the serious coffee aficionado, however, only burr grinders deserve serious consideration. Once blade grinders are eliminated from the field of choices, there are still an overwhelming number of variations on the burr coffee grinder. Some people prefer fully automatic espresso machines with build in burr grinders, and others find them annoying to use and clean. For full flexibility, a separate appliance is best.

There are two kinds of burr coffee grinders: flat and conical. Both types have a stationary burr and a second burr that spins from an electric motor or, in some models, the power from your arm turning a crank. The beans fall in between the two burrs which crush them. The fineness of the grind is determined by the distance between the burrs. Conical burrs are usually used on low-speed gear reduction grinders.

So which is the best coffee grinder for you? It depends on the amount of beans you want to grind, your style, and your budget. Here are a few of the options:

* Low Range Grinders (under $200)
For many home coffee and espresso drinkers, a good, basic burr grinder will do the trick. Both the Baratza Maestro and the Baratza Virtuoso stand out in their class. The Capresso Infinity and Breville Ikon are worth a look as well. If you do not expect to grind beans for a crowd and appreciate the classic look of a hand grinder, Zassenhaus manufactures several attractive and reliable models.

* Middle Range Grinders ($200-$350)
For the dedicated espresso artist, a mid-range grinder can deliver a precise, highly adjustable grind over many years of use. The Gaggia MDF is a crowd pleaser, as is the Rancilio Rocky. Users report that Rockys still perform reliably fifteen years into heavy use.

* High Range Grinders ($350 and up)
The models in this range are prosumer/commercial grinders. The Mazzer Mini is a heavyweight machine with a stepless grind. This grinder is applauded far and wide. Another excellent choice in this category is the Macap M4 (or M5, which is the same model, only with a taller hopper).

If you are on a really tight budget then you may want to consider Capresso Infinity burr grinder or a good manual coffee grinder.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K._Braun


Rancilio Rocky Coffee Grinder